PANAJI
While the third wave of Covid-19 infections is seemingly ebbing, mortality rate continues to haunt as 15 more succumbed in the 24-hour period between Wednesday-Thursday evening, the highest single day toll in the current wave.
The daily new infections dropped to below 1,000 mark with 955 fresh cases reported and a positivity rate of below 30 per cent.
The 15 counted dead however has kept the spirit low in the medical fraternity even as health officials claimed that as many as nine of them were not vaccinated.
Thursday’s 15 spiked the State's cumulative pandemic toll to 3,645. Thirteen of these deaths were at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
The DHS daily bulletin also claimed that 3,390 people fully recovered from the disease also bringing down the active caseload in the State to 13,269.
Meanwhile the focus has shifted back again to vaccination, with the State's Immunization Officer, Dr Rajendra Borkar, stressing that it reduces hospitalisation, health complications and deaths.
One doze of the vaccine provides up to 50 per cent protection and the second doze spikes the safety net to 70%, Dr Borkar said, adding that the booster doze improves it further.
Dr Borkar also warned against complacency saying it is paramount that protocols are followed.
"Clinically or sub-clinically all are infected. Every alternate person you ask whether they had fever, cough or sore throat they say yes. But hardly 636 people have been hospitalized as against 13,936 admissions during the second wave," Dr Borkar said, and warned that although Omicron is mild, all protocols and guidelines need to be followed.
